Remember those water fights you used to have during the school summer holidays? No one ever said you had to stop having them.
Songkran is Thailand's unique New Year celebration.
It's also when the whole country takes to the streets for a massive water fight.
It's all about washing away last year's bad luck and soaking up the spirit of a fresh new start.
Sounds like fun, right? Read on to find out more.
Adobe Free Stock / torwaiphoto
When is Songkran? Thailand's New Year Explained
Songkran is celebrated between 13th and 15th April each year.
Often, the water throwing spills over into the following week, but officially, Songkran is over by the 16th.
It lands smack bang in the middle of Thailand's hottest period, meaning temperatures often surpass 35°C.
The perfect excuse for a nationwide water fight.
What is Songkran?
Songkran is Thailand's traditional New Year celebration.
It's based on the Thai solar calendar and is a time when everyday life pauses and people remember what truly matters.
And it turns out that what matters is absolutely drenching friends, family and strangers. Who'd have thought?
Why is Songkran Celebrated?
While the water fights grab all the attention, Songkran has spiritual roots that run much deeper than just a glorified drenching.
Stretching back hundreds of years, the festival originated from a Hindu festival. It marked the arrival of spring and the new harvest season.
This was embraced and adapted by Buddhists to create a new festival to mark the Thai New Year.
"Songkran" is a word that comes from Sanskrit - "saṅkrānti", meaning "to move".
Or, in the context of the Songkran festival, "the passing of" or "astrological passage".
That's all very well, but what's with all the water? Good question.
Adobe Free Stock / JinnaritT
Water-throwing isn't all about cooling off, although it sure is a welcome relief in the April heat.
Traditionally, the water symbolises a cleansing. The washing away of sins and bad luck from the previous year.
Consider it a spiritual spring cleaning. Out with the old, in with the new.
Family plays a big part in the celebrations, too. The people of Thailand traditionally return to their hometowns during Songkran to spend it with loved ones.
A bit like how many Brits dutifully visit their parents at Christmas time.
So you may be initially drawn to the water fights.
But it's worth taking a moment to appreciate the deeper themes of renewal and spiritual cleansing.
How is Songkran Celebrated?
Songkran festivities kick off with a spot of spring cleaning.
Homes are scrubbed top to bottom and public spaces are cleaned in preparation for the new year.
Adobe Free Stock / Southtownboy Studio
It's another more literal and practical way of leaving the previous year behind to welcome in the new.
Then things get a bit more chaotic.
Streets transform into watery battlegrounds. Pickup trucks loaded with barrels of water patrol the streets.
Revellers armed with water guns and buckets soak anyone within range. Everyone participates - tourists and locals alike - creating a unique and unifying experience.
No one is safe from a good old soaking.
Regional Takes on Songkran
Up in the North of the country, the moat surrounding Chiang Mai's old city becomes a reliable water source. Thousands of people line its banks to fill their buckets and water guns.
The city's famous Tha Phae Gate landmark turns into a massive street party with music, food and, of course, endless soakings.
Regional variations add distinctive touches to the celebrations.
In northern Thailand, you might find yourself gently smeared with a paste made from white clay and water. It's a friendly gesture that's said to ward off evil.
Adobe Free Stock / Phawat
Each area proudly incorporates local traditions into the broader Songkran celebrations.
Common weapons of choice? Super Soakers, buckets, hoses… basically, anything that holds water.
The fancier water guns often sell out before the festival begins.
So early preparation is key unless you want to be caught defenceless in the crossfire.
Adobe Free Stock / จิตรกร เนาเหนียว
Local markets transform weeks before Songkran. Vendors set up special stalls selling everything from water guns and festive clothing to waterproof phone cases.
Speaking of which - electronics and anything valuable should be sealed in waterproof bags or left at your accommodation.
That fancy new iPhone is only one quick splash away from becoming an expensive paperweight. You have been warned.
What Do People Eat During Songkran?
Naturally, food plays an important role during Songkran. This is Thailand, after all.
Adobe Free Stock / David
Families prepare special dishes like Pad Thai and Khao Chae, rice soaked in flower-scented water with various side dishes.
Nam Prik Kapi, shrimp paste dip, Luk Chin Ping, grilled meatballs, and Khanom Chan, layered dessert, are commonly shared during family gatherings.
Songkran by Night
The evening brings a slightly different energy. As the water fights die down, the party continues with music festivals, light shows and street performances.
It's a natural transition from the day's playful activities to a more traditional celebration.
For those looking to keep things low-key, evening temple visits offer opportunities to light candles, burn incense and reflect on the year gone.
Adobe Free Stock / Thinapob
A nice contrast to the day's chaotic celebrations, giving you the chance to wind down and remind yourself of the festival's spiritual roots.
One of the more poignant traditions is the Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremony.
This is where young people pour scented water over the hands of their elders as a mark of respect and to ask for their blessings.
It's a moment of connection and gratitude across generations that you may rarely see in day-to-day life.
People also head to Buddhist temples to give food offerings and listen to monks speak.
Adobe Free Stock / boyloso
Visitors pour small cups of water over statues of Buddha to represent purification and cleansing. You have to give a little love to Buddha, after all.
When Should UK Travellers Plan Their Songkran Experience?
If Songkran sounds right up your street, aim to be in Thailand a day or two before celebrations start on 13th April.
This will give you time to recover from the long flight, get used to your surroundings, and stock up on water guns and waterproof bags.
Between 13th and 15th April, the three main days of the festival play out. The 13th is typically the most intense day of water-based mayhem.
However, different regions have their own timetables.
Chiang Mai often extends the festivities for up to a week, while Bangkok tends to stick closer to the official three-day period.
Pattaya typically holds its main Songkran parade and activities - known as Wan Lai - on 18th or 19th April. This gives latecomers a chance to join the fun.
Songkran Equals Peak-Season Travel
Be aware that Songkran coincides with Thailand's peak tourist season.
Accommodation prices surge and availability plummets. Book your hotels and flights well in advance to avoid disappointment and extortionate last-minute rates.
A word of warning for the unprepared - many businesses close during Songkran.
Government offices, banks and some restaurants shut their doors for the entire festival period.
Street food vendors, however, usually stay open to feed the soaked masses, so you shouldn't go hungry.
Adobe Free Stock / saravut
Stay Connected with an Airalo eSIM
As you're planning your Songkran adventure, don't forget to stay connected.
The last thing you want is to miss that perfect slow-mo water fight video because you ran out of data.
Airalo offers the best eSIM for Thailand. Visit the store, select your data package and start packing for your adventures.
After all, getting soaked is much more fun when it's 35°C and part of a centuries-old tradition - not just another rainy Tuesday in Manchester.
